----* ArtisticLicense: Early on in the 1990 version, Larry sees a slasher flick in the theater, and assumes there will be another one next year, because the title has a [[NumberedSequels Roman numeral]] at the end of it. The problem? King happened to choose [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet the one franchise that used Arabic numerals, not Roman]].* CompleteMonster: [[TheAntichrist Randall Flagg]] appears as a DarkMessiah in a [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]], plague-ravaged United States. Here he builds a new civilization in Las Vegas, calling to him those with penchants for destruction, power and fascism. Flagg has people publicly crucified for opposing or failing him, murders his pregnant girlfriend for enraging him, and plans on destroying the peaceful "Free Zone" settlement just so his civilization can be the dominant one. In ''Series/TheDarkTower'', set after the events of the novel, he also mentally takes credit for unleashing the plague and destroying civilisation in the first place (and seems quite proud of the accomplishment). * CrowningMusicOfAwesome: From the miniseries:** The intro [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUAvTn3uz5w roams around the laboratory]] and past all the staff who have suddenly died in the middle of what they were doing, set to Music/BlueOysterCult[='=]s "Don't Fear The Reaper".** "Eve of Destruction" played in the middle of the highway.** The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEuAVP44EG0#t=1m50s main guitar/violin theme]] by W.G. "Snuffy" Walden, that kicks in as the heroes begin their [[DoomedExpedition final journey]] [[WalkIntoMordor to Las Vegas]].** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjBwAYIxUso Don't Dream It's Over]]" by Crowded House over shots of the aftermath of the plague.* CryForTheDevil: The things General Starkey does during the superflu outbreak are terrible but he is presented as a broadly sympathetic figure trying to cope with an absolutely impossible situation. In the novel his son-in-law, realizing that they're all doomed, commits suicide during the opening stages of the superflu epidemic, adding further to Starkey's anguish.* DracoInLeatherPants: Specifically, Creator/JameySheridan as Randall Flagg in the miniseries. There's a ''reason'' people wanted him back as Flagg in the adaptation of ''Franchise/TheDarkTower''.* EnsembleDarkhorse: Nick Andros and Tom Cullen tend to be among the most-liked of the characters. The former due to being a HandicappedBadass [[spoiler:who later performs a HeroicSacrifice in an attempt to defuse the bomb]], and the latter due to being an {{Adorkable}} fella [[spoiler:who later TookALevelInBadass when he saves Stu and helps him get back to Boulder]].* HarsherInHindsight: ** The sub-plot where they go door-to-door marking houses and collecting the bodies within.* HilariousInHindsight: The first-edition cover (seen on the main page) depicts an angelic figure battling a demonic birdlike figure who could easily be a [[PettingZooPeople Taheen]] from the ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' series. Though considering the ''Dark Tower'' mythos' strong ties to ''The Stand'', it might not be a coincidence...* HollywoodHomely: The miniseries and its casting of Corin "Series/ParkerLewisCantLose" Nemec as Harold.* HoYay: Commander Starkey and his lieutenant, especially in the miniseries.** The scene where Larry is leaving Stu in the desert with his broken leg in the miniseries. Watch that scene, and don't deny that they come off as intimate lovers, with Stu comforting a crying Larry and holding him to his chest* IronWoobie: Lloyd Henreid. He's a criminal, but he's not a psychopath and Flagg has given him the first taste of real respect anyone has ever given him. Even more woobie-ish at the end, where Lloyd ''knows'' that Flagg's empire is crumbling and won't be around much longer, but refuses to abandon the man who saved his life (though he allows some of his friends to make a run for it).** Lloyd takes his debts ''seriously''.* JerkassWoobie: Harold Emery Lauder.* MagnificentBastard: Flagg* {{Narm}}: [[spoiler:When Randall Flagg rapes Nadine, many readers found the description of his cold, cold semen to be more funny than horrifying.]]* ParanoiaFuel: The best way to read this book is when you are sick in bed. Or during a flu season. You ''will'' wince when you hear somebody cough in your presence.* TheScrappy: Frannie Goldsmith in the miniseries.* {{Squick}}: When Abagail is going through her memories, the reader is suddenly treated to [[spoiler:her reminiscing about her sex life, including the ''smell'' of semen. This is a hundred-plus year-old woman.]]** Speaking of which, we learn ''a lot'' of information about [[{{Geek}} Harold's]] sex life (or lack thereof) ''throughout'' the book.*** In the miniseries, they don't go into much detail about what Nadine lets Harold do to her, but in the book, they do. If you know the realities of that particular act, just ew.** In the full-length version of the book , one character is sodomized with a pistol barrel.** The "Woman Zoo," which also counts as NightmareFuel.** Alternatively, [[http://www.walrusmagazine.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/stand-joint.jpg the dead body Larry finds in the lavatory]] with a swollen neck the size of a tire, which squicks out Larry in-work.** The crucifixion scene* TastesLikeDiabetes :The miniseries ending.* ToughActToFollow: Averted for the most part in regards to casting (see WhatTheHellCastingAgency), but played straight with regards to Bill Fagerbakke as Tom Cullen. It's widely agreed by fans he fit the character perfectly and the upcoming adaption will have a hard time topping that.* {{Wangst}}: Harold (referenced in-work). At one point, he realizes that holding on to his old high school grudges is stupid and pathetic... until events conspire to [[spoiler:drive him to TheDarkSide]].** Even more blatant in the miniseries, when Harold is [[HollywoodHomely played by Corin Nemec]]. The whole arc about how Harold started out universally hated for being fat and ugly with a personality to match, and later begins losing weight and taking better care of himself as he becomes more accepted and valued by his peers, suffers a bit when he's actually a quite handsome guy who just has a slightly nerdy hairdo and outfit before a subtle attack of TheGlassesGottaGo.* WhatTheHellCastingAgency: A lot of people said this about Creator/MollyRingwald playing Frannie. A lot of others got varying degrees: Laura San Giacomo (Nadine) Corin Nemec (Harold) and Creator/JameySheridan (Flagg).----